HHS overhauling its tech, cybersecurity and AI functions
The reorganization is intended to clarify and consolidate these functions in a number of ways, HHS says.
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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has kicked off a reorganization meant to streamline and bolster technology, cybersecurity, data and artificial intelligence strategy, and policy functions.
Opportunities in data and technology in healthcare and human services have grown significantly in recent years. Historically, responsibility for policy and operations has been distributed across the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), the Assistant Secretary for Administration (ASA), and the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR).
The reorganization is intended to clarify and consolidate these functions in a number of ways.
ONC will be renamed the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy and Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ASTP/ONC). Oversight over technology, data, and AI policy and strategy will move from ASA to ASTP/ONC, including the HHS-wide roles of chief technology officer, chief data officer, and chief AI officer.
On top of that, the public-private effort between the health sector and the federal government on cybersecurity ("405(d) Program") will move from ASA to ASPR, joining the other health sector cybersecurity activities already located in ASPR's Office of Critical Infrastructure Protection, and advancing the department's one-stop-shop approach to healthcare cybersecurity.
WHAT'S THE IMPACT?
While the office will continue as a staff division within HHS, ASTP/ONC will have increased responsibilities to support its broader mission, reflecting the new staff and funding transitioning into the division.
ASTP/ONC will establish an Office of the Chief Technology Officer and reinstitute the role of chief technology officer, which will oversee department-level and cross-agency technology, data, and AI strategy and policy, including the Office of the Chief AI Officer, Office of the Chief Data Officer and a new Office of Digital Services.
The chief AI officer will set AI policy and strategy for the department; establish internal governance, policies and risk management approaches for uses of AI internal to HHS; coordinate HHS's AI approach in the health and human services sectors; support the safe and appropriate use of AI technologies and tools across the department; and coordinate AI-related talent and training initiatives.
The chief data officer will continue to oversee data governance and policy development; drive data literacy and data talent initiatives; manage the HHS data strategy; support data collaboration and exchange; and manage HHS's data as a strategic asset for the department.
THE LARGER TREND
National Coordinator Micky Tripathi will be named assistant secretary for technology policy/national coordinator for health information technology. In response to an Executive Order from President Biden, Assistant Secretary Tripathi has also been named the department's acting chief AI officer.
ASTP/ONC has launched a search to fill the permanent positions of chief technology officer, chief AI officer and chief data officer, and will host a webinar about those opportunities on August 1.
Jeff Lagasse is editor of Healthcare Finance News.
Email: jlagasse@himss.org
Healthcare Finance News is a HIMSS Media publication.
